Grace Notes // Ephesians Week 3
Written by Keli Miller
“BUT BECAUSE…”
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air,the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Sin has led us down a dark and foggy path, a path to our own death. As I read Paul’s words in Ephesians 2, I’m given this picture of us walking through a dark forest, through trees and fog. As we walk down this path we can’t see where we are going so we reach out and grab a rope that seems like it will help get us wherever we are going. Placing one hand in front of the other we begin following this rope. Slowly without realizing it we become entangled and lose our own freedom. This is the path of slavery and death.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,
made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.
You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
And then we run into verse 4, “BUT BECAUSE, of God’s great love…”. And just like that the lights turn on and we are made alive. This is good news. You were dead, but now you are alive. The work has already been done, there is nothing left to do. You are free to sit, and rest in the presence of God.
“He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
This is where things get uncomfortable. It is uncomfortable to be in a room when you know you don’t belong. It is in our nature to want to work and earn our place in this world. Through the world's eyes authority begins with our efforts and what we can do. It begins with standing, and working, but in God’s realm authority begins with being seated and receiving the gift that is salvation. It is incredibly humbling to be given a gift, especially an extravagant one, that you have not earned. This humbling posture of sitting and receiving is directly related to our own ability to have spiritual authority. If you are wanting to claim authority over sin and/or temptation, you must first learn how to humble yourself. You must sit and receive from God. It isn’t until we sit down that we begin to be able to operate in the authority God has given us.
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
If there is one thing that we are going to take away from Ephesians 2:1-10 let it be this- The message of the Gospel is not one of, “do this, do that, do more”. The message of the Gospel is, “It’s done.” Some come, sit down. There’s no striving here, it is finished.
IN THE WORD
Ephesians 2
James 4:1-6
2 Samuel 9
PROCESSING
What areas are you wanting to gain authority in? Sit before the Lord and thank him for the authority that he already has in those areas.